Playground apparatus



June: 28, 1932.

E F. HOPPES PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed June 13. 1931 AEI'TORNEYS Patented .luiie 28, 1932 EDWEN F. HOPPES, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO,

ASSIGITOR 'IO- THE EVEZEtlVEAR Iv'EANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, 01? SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Application filed June 13,

This invention relates to improvements in playground apparatus of the rider-propelled roundabout class, it more particularly relating to a guard whereby injuries to the users may be prevented.

' In the device to which the improvements are particularly adaptable the rotatable element is capable of an eccentrically rotary motion, being suspended from a revoluble hub corresponding to the apex of a cone formed by sloping suspension members, the hub being fitted to bearings mounted on the upper end of a vertical center post.

To absorb the shocks while in operation a concentric bumper-ring is secured to the rotary element in or near the plane of the footboard, this bumper-ring coacting with a similar rotating, circular bumper attached to the center post near the lower portion thereof.

Although it is intended that the users of the device shall stand in an erect position on the footboard, steadying themselves by grasping a conveniently arranged handrail, it was found that smaller children would seat themselves on the footboard and sometimes cling to the bumper-ring for support.

To avoid the possibilty of injury from this source, the device has been improved by the incorporation of a guard of such dimension and location that the smaller children are not able to reach and grasp the bumper-ring, while the upper portions of the guard itself may be employed as a means of support as a handrail.

In the accompanying figures:

Fig. 1 is an elevation in perspective of an amusement device in which the principle of the invention is embodied.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the device, one of the suspension members being shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical A section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

' Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the members of the footboard arranged in polygonal fashion and supported from a central hub 2 by the inwardly sloping suspension members 3, the hub 2 being rotatably mounted on a support (not shown) fixed to the 1931. Serial retainer.

suspension members 3. l/Vheni'n use, the

movable structure swings to and fro and around in a rotary manner and to provide that damage is not done to the structure the swinging movement is limit-ed by the contact of a circular bumper-ring 6, supported concentrically with relation to the footboard and inthe same horizontal plane by comparatively short radially disposed arms 7, this bumper ring 6 striking against a much smaller bumper wheel 8 suitably positioned on the cen er post l.

As was previously mentioned, smaller children endangered themselves by lying on the footboard and clinging to the bumper-ring, and to obviate such practices, the guard which is now being described has been incorporated in the movable structure as follows:

The guard comprises a length of wovenwire cloth 9 rolled to a ring whose diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the ring 6 and has provided therein at the cen ter of its periphery, a series of rectangular openings through which the arms 7 pass. 85

The wire is supported by a plurality of ver-. tically disposed members 11 secured to the upper and lower sides of the ring 6 at the points of attachment of the arms 7 the inner ends of the members 11 being bent at rightangles to form feet 12 through which are passed the bolts 13 which secure the arms ,7 to the rings 6. The wire is further reenforced by circular rings 14 which are supported by the members 11, there being bolts 15 passing through the wire, the rings 14 and upper and lower endsof the members 11.

. The appearance of the guard is as seen in Fig. 1, itappearing as a comparatively short section of a tube having approximately equal 100 degree whereby ample clearance with the ground surface is maintained.

The drawing shows one embodiment of the invention but it will be clear that the principles of the invention could be carried out in numerous other forms.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a playground apparatus, a central post, a revoluble circularly-extending support suspended thereon, a circular bumper ring movable with the support and located between the support and the center post, and a guard member between the bumper ring and the support.

2. In a playground apparatus, a central post, a revoluble circularly-extending support suspended thereon, a circular bumper ring movable with the support and located between the support and the center post, and

a guard member between the bumper-wheel and the support, said guard member consisting of an open frame covered with wire mesh.

3. In a playground apparatus, a central post, a revoluble circularly-extending sup port suspended thereon, a circular bumper ring movable with the support and located between the support and the center post, and a guard member adjacent the bumper ring and between the ring and the support and projecting above and below the ring.

a. In a playground apparatus, a central post, a revoluble circularly-extending support suspended thereon, a circular bumper ring movable with the support and located between the support and the center post, and a guard member adjacent the bumper ring and between the ring and the support and projecting above and below the ring, said guard member consisting of an open frame covered with wire mesh.

5. In a playground apparatus, a central post, a circular platform suspended from said post and revoluble thereabout and movable to and from the same, a circular bumper ring supported by said platform between the post and the platform, and a guard member supported adjacent the outer side of said ring and projecting above and below the same.

6. In a playground apparatus, a central post, an annular bumper member thereon, a circular platform suspended from the upper end of the post and revoluble thereabout and movable to and from the same, a bumper ring carried by said platform located between the same and the bumper member on said-post, and a guard member arranged about the outer edge of said ring and projecting above and below the same.

7. In a playground apparatus, a central post, an annular bumper member thereon, a circular platform suspended from the upper end of the post and revoluble thereabout and movable to and from the same, a bumper ring carried by said platform located between the same and the bumper member on said post, and a guard member arranged about the outer edge of said ring and projecting above and below the same, said guard member consist ing of an open frame covered with wire mesh. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of May, 1931.

vEDWIN I HOPPES. 

